Connecticut Senate OKs death penalty repeal bill

Clearing its biggest hurdle, a bill repealing the death penalty passed the state Senate 20-16 Thursday morning shortly after 2 a.m., with two Democrats and all 14 Republican voting against it.

The chances of repeal were so unlikely last year the bill wasn't even raised for a vote after a strong lobbying effort by Dr. William A. Petit Jr., the lone survivor of a brutal 2007 triple-homicide at his Cheshire home.

Petit, his sister, and their lawyer were able to convince Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, not to vote for repeal last year, but Wednesday afternoon they were unable to even get an audience with the Senate Democratic caucus where it had been thought several other lawmakers may still be on the fence.